Famous for the Twelve Apostles and historic shipwrecks, Port Campbell National Park contains the most significant areas of vegetation and fauna native to south-western Victoria. The diverse range of coastal environments includes woodlands, dunes, wetlands, coastal cliffs, limestone stacks and arches.

The Twelve Apostles are stacks are made of rock formed up to 20 million years ago, and are created by the sea gradually eroding the soft limestone cliffs. The coast is slowly changing and there are frequent small rock falls. There are also infrequent major events, the most recent occurred on Sunday 3 July 2005 when a large stack collapsed. The before and after photgraphs, taken by a visitor who witnessed the collapse, are shown below.

• Scenic drives along the Great Ocean Road, stopping at points of interest.
• Three self-guided walks at Loch Ard Gorge that introduce shipwreck history, geology, and coastal ecology.
• Watch the thousands of Muttonbirds (Short-tailed Shearwaters) that fly in to their nest burrows from the sea each evening in summer.
• Call at the National Park Information Centre in Port Campbell.
• Try the Port Campbell Discovery Walk that heads west from the township.
• Swim or surf at Port Campbell.
• Snorkelling and scuba diving tours available.

• The visitor centre at the Twelve Apostles comprises an orientation area, upgraded interpretation displays along the boardwalk, toilets and a carpark that accommodates 190 cars and 12 coaches. Access to the viewing areas is now via a tunnel under the Great Ocean Road.
• There is no camping in the park, but there is a privately-run campground in Port Campbell. Port Campbell also has accommodation to suit every budget.

Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre Kiosk
Open 9am-5pm, seven days a week (take away service only)
Sells a basic range of refreshments, with items including tea and coffee, cold drinks and confectionary and snacks such as biscuits and snack bars. The kiosk also sells a small range of personal convenience items such as sunscreen and insect repellent.

Aboriginal people knew this shore well and had cut steps down the sheer cliffs to gain access to marine food sources.

European explorers soon realised the dangers of the coastline and gave it a wide berth. However, the number of shipwrecks that still occurred gave it the title of The Shipwreck Coast. Bass Strait was a major shipping route supplying the growing colonies of Victoria and New South Wales. Five shipswrecks, comprising both immigrant ships and traders, are located near this parks. The Loch Ard was wrecked in 1878. Fifty-two lives were lost. The two survivors were cared for at the Glenample Homestead. Four casualties from the wreck are buried in the Loch Ard cemetery.

Early settlement was based on pastoral runs, such as Glenample and a small fishing port developed at Port Campbell.

Aboriginal Traditional Owners

Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters.
Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria

Although relatively small and narrow, the park plays a vital role in fauna conservation in the region. It supports small populations of the Hooded Plover, a nationally significant species, as well as important populations of Rufous Bristlebird, Swamp Antechinus and Glossy Grass Skink.

Well-established tea-tree heathlands are important to the Rufous Bristlebird, while wetland areas provide food and nesting sites for the Australasian Bittern, Lewins Rail and Swamp Skink. Eastern Grey Kangaroos shelter in the denser vegetation of the park but frequently move into nearby farmland to feed.